WASHINGTON, Oct 4 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — The Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) company will eliminate the requirements for testing, vaccination and anti-Covid-19 masks for those who travel on its cruises as of Oct 4, according to an official statement reported Monday.
The Florida-based carrier argued that given significant and positive progress in the public health environment, an update to health and safety guidelines has been approved that will now align with other global travel organizations.
According to its president and CEO, Harry Sommer, health and safety will remain priorities, just as they have been since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020.
“Many travelers have waited patiently to take their long-awaited vacations at sea and we can’t wait to celebrate their return,” added the director of the company that has a fleet of 18 cruise ships.
Beginning this Tuesday, with the relaxation of health and safety protocols, NCL will continue to adhere to travel guidelines as required by the destinations it visits, it said.
The decision may be a breath of fresh air for the shipping company, which operates in a sector hit hard by the health crisis.
In the United States, the main market for cruise tourism, the fleets were paralyzed for more than a year and then they adopted strict anti-contagion measures.
According to global data from the International Association of Cruise Lines, the volume of income fell in 2020 by 59 percent compared to 2019 and the number of passengers fell by 81 percent. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA
